I Can Use Myriad Divine Abilities-Chapter 195: Hostile Visitors

Outside, snow was falling heavily, while inside, it was as warm as spring.

The firewood in the fireplace was blazing brightly, and the copper kettle on the iron rack was hissing with steam. Nearby, several skewers of rabbit meat were roasted to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, emitting a rich fragrance.

Zhang Yuan sat in the armchair in front of the fireplace, the bright firelight illuminating his face, as he exhaled a long, contented breath.

The winter in the Xia Ruins was quite long, but with abundant supplies, the hibernation-like lifestyle was quite comfortable.

During this period, Zhang Yuan intentionally shortened his training time.

Because his martial arts cultivation had hit a bottleneck, and hard practice could no longer bring improvement.

On the contrary, overdoing it would be counterproductive.

Zhang Yuan used the spare time for mundane tasks of daily life.

Shoveling snow, chopping wood, brewing tea, cooking, grilling, reading...

Allowing his mind to truly calm down, he slowly reviewed his martial arts journey.

He read "Jianghu Records" repeatedly, constantly pondering over Liu Seventh Lady’s experience of breaking the realm.

Silently making the final preparations to open the Sea of Qi.

The rabbit skewers were done.

Zhang Yuan sprinkled some salt, took a bite, and found the taste quite good.

For long-term storage, most of the meat stored at home was self-made smoked and cured meat.

The freshly grilled rabbit in hand was the spoils of the Red-eyed Crow.

This advanced servant spirit seemed to have awakened an instinct, patrolling the nearby areas daily to hunt small animals like wild rabbits, mountain rats, and crested chickens foraging in the snow.

As a result, it greatly enriched Zhang Yuan’s ingredients.

With a bite of BBQ and a sip of tea to wash it down, life was flavorful and satisfying!

But just as he finished two skewers of rabbit, he suddenly frowned.

Because the Red-eyed Crow, which was guarding outside, suddenly sent a warning!

Zhang Yuan immediately switched to the Red-eyed Crow’s perspective, only to find that five people were trudging through the thick snow towards his home.

Although Zhang Yuan’s house was within the West Mountain Collection, it was quite far from the nearest neighbors.

There were no other families nearby.

Therefore, these people must be coming for him!

Zhang Yuan also saw that three of them were carrying large burlap sacks, not knowing what was inside.

After some thought, he rose from the tiger-pelted armchair, left the room, and went outside to the yard.

Zhang Yuan directly opened the door, stood expressionlessly in front of it, and watched the group approach.

The group was dressed in thick animal skin coats, wearing bear fur hats, and had weapons like knives and swords at their waists. Each of them was robust and exuded a fierce aura.

The leader was a burly man with a lion-like mouth and broad nose.

When he saw Zhang Yuan coming out to wait for them, a hint of surprise flashed on his face.

The burly man then smiled, took a big stride forward, clasped his fists, and greeted: "I am Wei Zhongshan, Inner Hall Incense Master of the True Martial Sect. May I ask if you are the esteemed Zhao Yun?"

True Martial Sect!

Zhang Yuan nodded, "I am Zhao Yun. What do you want?"

He immediately recalled what Qu Hong and Old Man Kou had told him.

It was said that the True Martial Sect was a faction of the West Ruins, which had suffered heavy losses in territorial conflicts and was forced to withdraw from Ruins City, intending to make a comeback.

They had set their sights on the West Mountain Collection, intending to use it as a temporary base.

This news had already spread throughout West Mountain Collection before winter arrived.

Causing quite a stir.

But everyone thought that even if the True Martial Sect came, it would be when winter was over and spring arrived.

For the residents of West Mountain Collection, surviving the winter was more immediate than the threat of the True Martial Sect.

Therefore, this matter blew past like a wind, though it caused ripples, it quickly settled.

Zhang Yuan did not expect, that before winter was even halfway over, the people of the True Martial Sect would brave the snow and come knocking.

These visitors had ill intentions!

To be honest, Zhang Yuan was utterly sick of it at that moment, even feeling a touch of violent impulse.

Which was to instantly empower himself with multiple layers of Host’s Power and slaughter these people before him completely.

All would be annihilated!

To avoid strong enemies, he had to separate from his closest kin and come to this Border Desolate Land to live in seclusion and train.

Yet, even in a place like the Xia Ruins, untouched by Daqian’s power, there were still conflicts, grudges, and entanglements of interest in the Jianghu.

Impossible to evade completely!

With killing intent rising, Zhang Yuan forced himself to suppress it.

He calmly returned the greeting and said: "Oh, it’s Master Wei. What brings you here?"

Killing wasn’t realistic right now.

The True Martial Sect had a Tier Five and four Tier Four masters. Even with their current strength reduced, Zhang Yuan, a Tier Three, couldn’t handle them.

The men from the True Martial Sect before him surely didn’t secretly come to cause trouble.

If they died here, the True Martial Sect would inevitably investigate.

If a Tier Four True Qi Martial Artist came, Zhang Yuan would have to abandon his home and flee, finding another place to survive.

In this icy weather, how troublesome!

Wei Zhongshan was slightly stunned.

He didn’t know why, but a sudden chill of dread washed over him, feeling as if he was standing at the edge of an abyss.

The strong sense of danger came from Zhang Yuan!

But this feeling only lasted a moment, then it disappeared.

However, Wei Zhongshan also put away his disdain, a flash of shrewdness in his eyes, and said with a smile: "Nothing much, really. Our True Martial Sect intends to establish a name in the West Mountain Collection after spring, and we hope you all could come and support us then."

This Incense Master from the True Martial Sect waved his hand: "Bring it up!"

Three martial artists immediately lowered the sacks from their shoulders in front of Zhang Yuan, and together, clasped their fists in respect.

Wei Zhongshan smiled and said: "Zhao Yun, this is a small token from our sect, please accept it."

Zhang Yuan thought for a moment and said, "You’re too kind."

He paused and then added, "I will definitely be there!"

Zhang Yuan had no interest in the True Martial Sect’s "token," but it wasn’t time to fall out with them and there was no need to rudely reject—after all, Wei Zhongshan’s attitude was quite cordial.

As for other matters, they’ll deal with them when the True Martial Sect truly comes!

Wei Zhongshan laughed heartily: "Thank you, then I shall take my leave. Zhao Yun, we shall meet again in the spring!"

"Until then."

The True Martial Sect’s incense master was quite decisive, turning with his men to leave.

No dilly-dallying at all.

Zhang Yuan watched as the group gradually disappeared into the vast snow.

He reached out and untied the rope of one sack, finding inside a cleanly washed lamb!

A big gesture with even bigger intentions!

Zhang Yuan sneered coldly, then opened the other two sacks.

One was filled with rice, while the other contained dozens of bamboo jars.

He was no stranger to these jars; they usually held seasoning ingredients like oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar.

One must admit, the token brought by the True Martial Sect was indeed a warm gesture during the severe winter!

Zhang Yuan believed that many people in the West Mountain Collection would love this pie that fell from the sky.

But alas, the pie contained poison!